Offers from: Wesleyan University, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Boston University
PART01.
From the dining table to the classroom:
A girl who is used to thinking for herself
Jessica finds it hard to pinpoint exactly when she 'decided' to pursue an international education. It was more of a natural extension of her way of life.
From an early age, mealtimes at her family's table were rather different from those of others. Her parents rarely told her 'how she ought to think'; instead, they were more concerned with how she thought and how she viewed the world. Social issues, international news and open-ended questions with no standard answers were all part of their daily conversations. Over time, Jessica developed the habit of observing, questioning and thinking independently. 'Choosing an international education was not a sudden decision for me, but rather a natural progression.'
Jessica poses for a photo at the graduation ceremony with Dr. Yang Xiaoke, founder of Tianjin Farragut School, and Executive Principal Gao Yue.
When she arrived at TFS, she discovered that the school's educational philosophy was identical to her family's approach to raising children. The curriculum was designed to give students ample freedom. After taking an economics course in 10th grade, she discovered her passion: the social sciences. This interest later extended to the field of sociology, which became the central focus of her high school years.
Jessica attended the Outstanding Graduate Recognition Ceremony at the graduation ceremony
"School doesn't just provide knowledge; it also offers me an opportunity to get to know myself." She began to ask herself seriously: What am I really interested in? What kind of person do I want to become? There are no standard answers, but she learned to answer these questions in her own way.
PART02.
Don't Be a Slave to Your Schedule:
Choosing Courses Means Choosing a Direction
During her three years at Farragut, Jessica developed a philosophy for choosing courses: a packed schedule does not equal depth of learning.
Her course selection principle was clear—to focus her energy on subjects that truly resonated with her. Over the three years, she took macroeconomics, microeconomics, pre-calculus, calculus, and statistics, all of which aligned with her interest in the social sciences. For science courses, which she found challenging, she decisively chose the Standard level, saving her energy to devote to the fields she loved.
Jessica Participates in the Yuanpei Young Scholars Program
"Focusing your energy on the right direction yields more substantial results than spreading yourself too thin." Farragut's flexible curriculum allows students to make choices tailored to their individual abilities and interests, rather than measuring everyone by the same standard.
Doing activities with friends
The school encourages students to start their own clubs and undertake PBL projects, giving her the freedom to explore and be creative. Outside of school, she continues her equestrian training, made possible by the more flexible course schedule in her upper grades. Balancing her academics with her hobbies has helped shape her into a more well-rounded person.
Jessica is practicing horseback riding
When it comes to balancing academics and personal life, Jessica believes in striking a balance between work and rest—not wasting her time. Last summer, while preparing for the TOEFL, she also worked on her personal research projects—"Marketing Mechanisms Behind Fan Culture" and "An Analysis of the Concert Economy." Despite her packed schedule, she still managed to fit in a daily horseback riding session and even found time to attend a few concerts. Moderate relaxation didn't slow her progress; rather, it provided sustained motivation amid the high pressure. She achieved excellent results in both the TOEFL and her research. "Balancing work and rest is a more sustainable way to manage your well-being."
PART03.
Before the Ribbons Fall:
A Short Letter and a Long Wait
During application season, Jessica faced a classic dilemma: for her ED2 application, should she choose a liberal arts college or a comprehensive university?
Comprehensive universities have high profiles, but students may not receive enough individual attention; liberal arts colleges are less mainstream, yet their small class sizes and atmosphere that prioritizes undergraduate education better align with her expectations. Her college counselor provided her with historical admission data and standardized test score benchmarks, and patiently explained the value of liberal arts colleges. After careful consideration, she settled on Wesleyan University—a liberal arts college in Connecticut whose emphasis on the social sciences closely aligned with her interests.
Jessica with Ms. Joyce and Ms. Eileen from the College Counseling Center
After submitting my application, the wait felt like an endless ordeal. "I never knew exactly which day Wesleyan would release its decisions; I only knew the results would come in mid-February. During those days in mid-February, I set my alarm almost every day to wake up early and repeatedly checked the application portal, but there were no updates for several days in a row. Waking up early every day only to come up empty-handed was incredibly agonizing. By the fourth or fifth day, my mindset gradually calmed down, and I began to feel a sense of letting things take their natural course."
Screenshot of the offer
"On February 13, I had plans to head to Beijing early in the morning with a friend. Before leaving, as usual, I opened the portal around 8:00 a.m. I never expected the results to actually be there. The moment I clicked on it, a screen full of confetti flooded my view. I felt both surprised and thrilled; a sense of certainty that I "deserved" this welled up inside me, along with a huge sense of relief that my long wait had finally come to an end."
Wesleyan University
As for what Wesleyan saw in her, Jessica believes it had to do with that short essay. Wesleyan's short essay prompt asked applicants to share a news story that resonated with them. She chose a statistic released by the WHO: approximately one in six people worldwide has experienced or is currently experiencing autism. "This figure struck a chord with me and prompted deeper reflection, leading me to articulate my perspective in the essay: I hope to build a social support system where everyone can be accepted, included, and find healing. This idea aligns closely with the sense of community and identity I've been exploring."
Watching the musical *Hamilton* on Broadway
There's another detail in the essay that's very important to her. She引用ed a scene from the musical *Hamilton* to support her point. "Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of *Hamilton*, is the musical theater writer I admire most, and he's also one of Wesleyan's most distinguished alumni. I feel that incorporating this detail into my essay reflects not only my genuine love for the show but also sends a signal to the admissions officers: my desire to attend Wesleyan is based on a genuine understanding of the school. I believe this deep connection to the school's culture and spirit is perhaps what Wesleyan sees in me."
PART04.
To Be Seen, To Be Encouraged
And then grow into their own person
Looking back on the past three years, Jessica feels that what she treasures most about Farragut are the people who saw her potential and were willing to give her a helping hand.
Jessica and her homeroom teacher, Ms. Ji
"I feel that the teachers at Farragut have helped me a great deal. When I entered 10th grade and joined a new class, I was fortunate to have Ms. Ji as my homeroom teacher and English instructor. Throughout my TOEFL preparation and daily studies, she consistently encouraged me to keep practicing test questions and carefully review my mistakes. It was precisely with Ms. Ji's help that I successfully achieved my target TOEFL score. Outside of class, Ms. Ji paid close attention to each student's academic progress and emotional well-being, ensuring that everyone's needs were taken seriously."
Jessica and Mr. Yuan
"In addition to Mr. Ji, many other teachers—including Mr. Yuan, my physics teacher; Ashley, my ESOL teacher; Chris, my chemistry teacher; and others—accompanied me throughout my years at Farragut and witnessed my growth and progress along the way. In class, they encouraged me to freely express my opinions without worrying about being right or wrong, and to ask questions or raise concerns whenever I had them. It was precisely in this supportive environment that I gradually became more confident and increasingly bold in voicing my thoughts. Outside of class, the teachers were like like-minded friends; we would share our observations of the world, hobbies, and other interests with one another."
Jessica with her foreign teachers, Chris and Ashley
To her parents, she said, "Thank you, Mom and Dad, for your support and for giving me the freedom to choose." It was brief, but full of meaning.
At the Fall 2025 College Fair, Jessica served as a Chinese-English interpreter for the University of Richmond.
To her younger classmates, she left this message:
"You won't be admitted just because you're outstanding, nor will you necessarily be rejected if you're not. Whether you're accepted or rejected by any university does not define your worth in life."
Jessica and Her Friends
In her view, the most essential quality for students interested in studying abroad is self-awareness—knowing what they like, what they're good at, and where they want to go, and making their own choices. This is especially true during application season. "I'm so grateful that I had ample resources at Farragut to complete this process of self-discovery."
Her message to her alma mater was brief yet sincere: "I wish TFS continued success and that its graduates will go on to achieve great things all over the world."
Jessica with Ms. Ji and her classmates
This girl, who learned to think for herself at the dinner table, is about to set out on a journey. She carries with her the focus of equestrianism, the rhythm of the piano keys, the critical thinking of scientific research, and the vision of "belonging" expressed in her application essays. She is heading to broader horizons to continue exploring questions that have no standard answers.
"There must be a song of my own—to sing it out loud, then gaze upon the vastness of the world." Before the song has even faded, the path ahead is already clear. Next stop: Connecticut.
END.
"Note: The order in which the 'Profiles' are published is determined by the scheduled interview times and the dates materials were submitted."
Photos and Text | Tianjin Farragut School
Brand Promotion Department
Source of information and images | Jessica
